Sick of carrying the King Country curse

King Country first five-eighth Michael Blank has plenty to play for in the NPC third division final against Wanganui in Te Kuiti tomorrow.

Blank is determined to see King Country return to the second division next year but there is also a small matter of a nickname he wants to lose, for good.

Blank had strong memories of the 2001 season when King Country were relegated from the second division.

The side lost every NPC match that year.

The experience earned Blank the unfortunate nickname of "Curse".

He had played more than 50 games for the province at that stage but he could count on one hand the number of times he celebrated a win.

His team-mates joked he was the reason, or the curse, for the losses.

Now after two years in third division, and a championship record this season of six wins from eight games, Blank and King Country are within reach of promotion.

His goalkicking and backline direction have been major reasons behind their revival.

And he is keen to lose the nickname by beating Wanganui, also relegated in 2001.

"I think the name has just about been forgotten, the boys think maybe it should be given to Lee Peina," Blank said in reference to the former King Country halfback who transferred to Northland last year.

Blank's experience in the first division with Waikato and latterly with King Country cannot go unrecognised in its contribution to the team's cause this season.

He has averaged 12 points a game in the NPC and is poised to break the century mark tomorrow if he continues his success rate.

Blank spent much of the early season playing in England and it was clear from the first game against Horowhenua-Kapiti that King Country had missed his direction and kicking game.

A last-minute penalty from the sideline to beat Buller 13-10 and two penalties against Poverty Bay in a tryless semifinal last weekend testify to his cool head under pressure.

He knows the final may rest on goalkicking and is confident his 15-point average at Te Kuiti's Rugby Park this season will be maintained.

"Yeah, I know it could come down to that, but I'm not too worried if it does," he said.

"I know I have to keep focus on the target and the ball will follow through."

- NZPA

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